ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The team with 25 SEC recruits on its roster had no problem knocking off the team with mostly non-SEC recruits. That pretty much summed up the Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday.

Team Blur—which was loaded with Alabama and LSU recruits—defeated Team Highlight 49-16 in the fifth annual affair. With a national championship game coming up in which two SEC teams from the same division will go head-to-head, it was hard to ignore the dominance. In fact, six of the seven touchdowns by the winning team were scored by SEC commitments.

Alabama recruit Amari Cooper scored the first touchdown of the game on a 75-yard reception from the game’s most valuable player, Jameis Winston (Florida State recruit). Cooper also returned a punt 93 yards for a score and caught another 20-yard pass. He was the only player in the game to score twice.

“I don’t think (the SEC dominance) is a coincidence,” Cooper told Sporting News after the game. “I didn’t expect it to be like this, like 49-16, but I thought we’d win when I saw who was on the roster ... My reps were limited, because the coaches were trying to get other receivers in there because I scored early, but I still made an impact in the punt game, so I’m excited.”

USC recruit Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick and undecided wide receiver Davonte Neal scored the losing team’s touchdowns. Winston was 8-of-9 passing for 178 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions. Clemson recruit Chad Kelly threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns for the losing team. The game’s leading rusher was Miami recruit Randy "Duke" Johnson, with 50 yards. The leading tackler was uncommitted end Jordan Jenkins, with eight.

PICKING PLACES

When it came to choosing schools on Thursday night, there were some upsets among the blue chippers.

Six Under Armour All-Americans chose their future homes. Arguably the top two went with rival, out-of-state schools. Landon Collins, a safety out of Geismar (La.), chose Alabama over state LSU, while DB Chaz Elder went with South Carolina over in-state Georgia.

Wes Brown, a running back out of Olney (Md.), chose to play for Maryland instead of Colorado, Miami, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech, while defensive end Channing Ward of Aberdeen (Miss.) also chose to stay close to home, picking Ole Miss over Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Mississippi State. Jones, out of Baltimore, went with Alabama over Virginia Tech.

Lucas Thompson, one of the top safeties in the nation, gave East Carolina arguably one of its top commitments in the past few seasons when he chose the Pirates over schools like Miami and South Carolina.

HEAD START

Winston and Texas recruit Connor Brewer started at quarterback after performing well in practice during the week. The other QBs in the game were Preston Dewey (Miami), Chad Kelly (Clemson), Zach Kline (Cal) and Tanner Mangum (BYU). Kelly is the nephew of former NFL quarterback great Jim Kelly.

Brewer got an early feel for what it will be like to play for the Longhorns, handing the ball off to record-breaking RB Johnathan Gray—who picked up a first down on his first carry. He also had future receiving targets Cayleb Jones and Thomas Johnson on his team.

Winston also quickly made a difference with his toss to Cooper. Brewer eventually went out of the game with an injury.

SIDELINE STARS

There were several big-names on the sidelines. Of course, former NFL head coaches Herm Edwards and Steve Mariucci were actually coaching, but other well-known sports figures hanging out.

Ken Griffey Jr. was on the sidelines watching his son, Trey Griffey of Orlando, play. Also checking out his son was Deion Sanders, who was always near Deion Jr.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took in the action after speaking with players before the game. Fellow Heisman Trophy winner (and former Panthers QB) Chris Weinke—who now works with quarterbacks around the country—was on the sidelines, too, as was Ron Zook, who was recently fired by Illinois. Keyshawn Johnson was involved with the game this week, as well.